Cooking apparatus



July 30, 1935. J. L. sHRoYER 2,009,791

COOKING 'APPARATUS Filed DSG. 4, 1951 2 Sheet-Sheet 1 If-lsV Attofneg.

July 30, 1935. 1 L, SHRQYER 2,009,791

COOKING vAPPARATUS Filed Dec. 4, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig 5.

His Attorrweg.

Patented July 30, 1935 UNITED STATES COOKING APPARATUS Jacob L. Shroyer,Oak Park, Ill., assigner to Edison General Electric Appliance Company, iChicago, Ill., a corporation of New York Application December 4, 1931,Serial No.'578,857 7 claims. (ci. 21e-19) My invention relates tocooking apparatus, more particularly to cooking apparatus provided withseparable cooking plates, and has for its object the provision of animproved device of this character. v

My invention has special application to cooking apparatus provided withopposed 'andseparable electrically heated cooking plates, and has for afurther object the provision of means whereby the utility of theapparatus is increased and its functions extended. More specifically, myinvention contemplates the provision of electric cooking apparatus ofthis character for effecting in an eilicient and economical manner suchcooking operations as toasting, baking., etc., and further, theprovision of means whereby the apparatus can also be conveniently usedfor such operations as broiling and the like.

kIn carrying 'my invention into effect` in one form thereof, I providesuitable means for supporting the opposed heating plates whereby theycan be moved from substantially horizontal cooking positions to cookingpositions arranged at an angle to the horizontal. .It is contemplatedthat the plates will be arranged in their horizontal positions when itis desired to use the apparatus to toast bread or sandwiches, to bakepancakes, or to perform 'similar cooking operations, whereas when it isdesired to broil steaks, bacon or other meats, the apparatus will bearranged with the plates in their inclined positions so that excessgrease and juices from the meat can readily drain ofi from the cookingplates.

I further provide a suitable operating arm attached to one of thecooking plates whereby it can be moved with respect to the other plate,4and will always position itself parallel with the latter plateregardless -of the thickness of the edibles placed between them andregardless of which of the cooking positions they happen to be in.

The operating arm is provided with a passageway through which theelectrical conductors for the heating element of its attached plate arepassed, whereby these conductors are concealed and protected fromforeign matters, such for exampleas grease.

For a more complete understanding of my invention reference should behad to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a perspective viewof electric cooking apparatus embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is avertical central sectional view of the cooking apparatus of Fig. 1,portions being broken away so as to illustrate certain structuraldetails; Fig. 3 is a plan view partly adjusting means I8.

in section and with portions broken away so as to illustrate certainstructural details; Fig'. 4 is an elevation partly in section of acertain leg structure used `in connection with my cooking apparatus; andFig. 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating heating circuits for thecooking apparatus, together with certain control mechanisms for theheating circuits.

Referring to the drawings, I have shown my invention in one form inconnection with electric l0 v cooking apparatus comprising upper andlower cooking or heating plates I0 and II. 'The upper plate preferablywill be provided with a casing or cover member Illa.

These heating plates I0 and II are supported 15 erably will be formedinto an integral structure;

and, as shown, the upper edges of these walls are folded inwardly uponthemselves (Fig. 2), the lower ends of the folded portions beingextended 30 horizontally into the casing so as to form a peripheral,horizontal ange I9. 'I'his flange or ledge I9 serves to support thelower heating plate II, this plate resting on sleeves Vor collars 2liwhich in turn rest upon the flange. 'I'he sleeves 35 20` receivesuitable -screws 2I which are passed through apertures provided for themin the ange I9 and which have threaded connections with the plate II.'I'he upper-plate I0 rests directly on the lower plate I I. The upperplate,

as shown, is attached to a suitable operating arm 24 which is pivotallyattached to the base I2. As shown, a suitable hinge bracket 25 issecured as bymeans of screw fastening means 26 to the 45 rear wall I4 ofthe casing I2. This bracket is. provided with a pair of spacedsupporting members 25a, through which members a pivot pin 26 on whichthe arm 24 is pivotally mounted is passed and supported; the arm 24, asshown, 50 extends transversely overthe heating plate and is providedwith a portion 24a arranged substantilly atright angles to thetransverse portion, the lower end of this projecting portion beingpivotally secured to the pin 26. This pin may b5 .transverse portion ,I0is somewhat smaller be secured in any suitable manner, as by means ofretaining nuts 26a. a'

' 'Ihe upper plate Ill is pivotally attached to the of the arm 24 atsubstantially its central portion. As shown, the arm 24 is of tubularform. the arm being provided with a passageway extending throughoutsubstantially its full length. This passageway at substantially thecentral portion of the transverse portion of the arm 24 opens toward theupper surface of the plate l0. The walls 24h of the arm at this centralportion areextended laterally somewhat so .as to enlarge the opening andgive it a substantially rectangular shape,` the walls as shown dependingfrom the arm in flange-like form. It is to these depending flange-likewalls that the upper heating plate I0 is pivotally connected. For thispurpose the plate I0 is provided with walls defining a substantiallyrectangular hinge or bearing member 30 extending upwardly from its upperface and proportioned to be received within the depending walls 24b ofthe operating arm.- Extending laterally through the walls 24h of the arm24 and also through the side walls of the bear-ing member 30 is asuitable pivot pin 3| secured in any suitable manner as by means of nuts32 threaded on its ends. It will be observed that the member in lengththan is the opening provided for it in the hinge arm 24 so as to provideof the upper plate -relative to its supporting arm 24. l

The hinge bracket 25. as shown. has an upwardly extending portion 25h ofchannel shape and the general contourof the adjacent surface of the arm24. This member 25h serves as a stop for the upper heating plate whenthe latter is in its completely opened position.

The hinged portion 24a of the operating arm 24, as shown, extendsdownwardly somewhat beyond the pivot pin 28. To the end of thisextending portion is secured a suitable counterbalancing spring 33. Asshown, one end 33a of this spring is attached to a spring stud 34attached to the lower end of the portion 24a, while the other end 33h ofthe spring is attached to an adjusting bolt 34a passed through andsupported by the front wall I5 of the base. It will be observed thatthis wall is provided with a head readily accessible to the attendantwhereby adjustments in the tension of the spring 33 can be convenientlyeffected; It will be understood that the tension of the spring, will beadjusted to counterbalance the weight of the operating arm 24 and alsothe upper heating plate I0 so as to assist the attendant in opening andclosing the plate. The rear wall I4 of the base is provided with asuitable aperture through which the end 33a of-the spring is passed tothe arm 24. The arm 24 is provided with a suitable spring handle 35.

The lower plate Il preferably is provided with a peripheral flange 36.The upper plate l0 is arranged to rest on the side and iront portions ofthis flange. The rear portion of the upper plate is itself provided witha depending flange 31 which rests on the heating surface of the lowerplate Il. It will be observed that these cooperating flanges denne aheating space between the plates Il and Il when the latter are closed,and that the flanges cooperate to provide a retaining wall for theedibles placed between the plates. The heating plates preferably will beprovided with smooth uninterrupted heating for considerable pivotalmotion baked on the lower surface or numerous other like cookingoperations be effected.

For broiling purposes it is sometimes desirable to incline the heatingplates somewhat so that excess grease and juices from the meat may bereadily drained from the heating surfaces of the plates. For thispurpose I have provided the front legs I1 of the device with extensionswhereby the lengths of these legs can be increased to tilt the heatingapparatus toward Vthe rear. As shown, these front legs I1 are providedwith vertically arranged bores 40. Within these bores and arranged toslide therein are suitable extension members 4I. The lower ends of theextension members 4| are provided with enlarged portions or heads 42arranged to conformv theA appearance of the front legs with those at therear, which, as shown, have similar-heads 42a, and also to serve as stopmembers defining the extreme retracted position of the extensionmembers. It will be understood that when these members 4I are in theirretracted positions, the lengths of. the front legs will besubstantially equal to those of the rear legs so that the plates I0 andIl will be supported in a' substantially horizontal position.

Suitable means are provided for locking the members 4I in their extendedpositions so that to the legs I1 so as to project into the verticallyarranged bores 40. The projecting portions of these pins are received invertically arranged slots 44 provided in the extension members 4I. Asshown in Fig. 4, the upper end of each slot 44 is curved atsubstantially right angles to the remaining vertical portion of theslot. It will be observed, therefore, by reason of this slot arrangementthat the members 4l can be withdrawn from their bores 42 and that bygiving them a quarter turn the pins 43 will be brought into the upperhorizontal portions of the slots 44, whereby it will be impossible forthe .members to be moved to their retracted positions until they areagain turned to bring the pins into the vertical portions of the slots.Preferably, the lower walls of the horizontal portions of the slots 44will be formed. on an arc having a radius substantially equal to theradius of the locking pins so that when the pins are received in theseportions the extensions 4l will be securely locked in their extendedpositions.

It will be observed that by reason of the above described constructionin order to move the plates I0 and Il to their inclined position, it ismerely necessary to withdraw the extension portions 4I and then givethem a quarter turn to move thelocking pins into their locking portionsof the slots 44. To return the plates to their horizontal positions itis merely necessary to give the extension members a quarter turn in theopposite direction to release them from the pins, the slot. 44 thenreceiving the pins to allow the members 4|- te be' returned le their.retracted positions. i

Preferably, the rear wall oi.' the ange fprofor broiling operations, theexcess in grease andv juices will flow toward the rear oi the plateswhere it will pass through the spout 48 to any suitable receptacle (notshown) which may bev placed thereunder for receiving the grease andjuices.

The'. cooking plates l0 and il preferably are cast from a suitable metalhaving a good heat conductivity, such as aluminum, and are heated bymeans of electrical heating elements 50 and 5l respectively which asshownare cast in the metal forming the plates. While any suitableelectrical heating elements may be used, I prefer to use a sheathedelement, such as described and claimed in .United States Patent No.1,367,341, granted to C. C. Abbott, dated February 1, 1921. Briey, thiselement comprises an outer metallic sheath 52 (Fig. 2) in which ahellcally shaped resistance wire t3 is embedded in a compacted;V

powdered, heat refractory, electrically insulating material Se, such asmagnesium oxide. It will be understood that these units can be benteasily into any desired shape.

is shown (Figs. 3 and 5), the heating element for the upper plate it isformed substantially in S-shape extending transversely o f the plate.

The end portions of this heating element are curved inwardly, as shown,and are connected to suitable terminal members 55 arranged at the .Acentral portion of the plate. Preferably, the extreme end portions 'ofthe `element 50 will be turned upwardly at right angles to the element,as shown in Fig. 2, so as to be embraced by the walls oi the pivotmember 30.

The lower heating element 5I is formed in a pair ci .Ushaped loops 55aand Sib connected by a transverse portion Sic, as clearly shown in Figs.3 and 5. The extreme end portions of this lower heating elementareturned downwardly substantially at right angles to the body of theelement and project into the casing I2 where suitable terminals 56 areprovided.

It will be observed that the heating elements are arranged to heat theirplates l and Il substantially uniformly over their cooking surfaces.This is rather important in connection with the type oi heatingapparatus shown in that all particles of the edibles placed 'between theplates will receive substantially the same degree of heat.

Preferably the heating element I for the lower plate will have acapacity slightly higher than Ythat of the upper heating element so asto compensate for the heat losses by conduction from the lower. plate.This difference in capacity will be such that the plates'will bemaintained at substantially the mme temperature.

The heating elements 5l and 5i are provided with suitable control meanswhereby substantially constant temperatures are maintained in theheating plates, and further, whereby the periods of the variousv cookingoperations can be readily measured. These control means preferably willbe substantially the same as those described and claimed in my copendingappllcatio Serial No. 529,654, illed April 13, 1931. 1

The control for these heating elements includes .arranged the pilot lampill.

3 a temperature responsive device Il and a main control switch lldisposed inthe connections leading from a suitable source of electricalsup' ply 62,' shown dlagrammatlcally in Fig.- 5. An

auxiliary switch 63 is arranged in the connections provlded for theupper heating element ll whereby the latter may be cut out ot theheating circuit independently of the lower heating element 5i. In orderto'measure the cooking periods, preferably in accordance with thetemperatures maintained in the cooking plates, a

suitable signal device comprising a pilot lamp il and a time elementcontrolling switch 65 therefor are provided.

The heating elements Sli and 5I are connected `in parallel, as shown,diagrammatically in Fig. 5,

and connected in parallel with these elements is connections for the twoheating elements and pilot lamp shown as a twin supply conductor 56 arebrought in at the lower wall i6 of the cas- .ing i2 through a bushing 6lformed oi a suitable electrically insulating material, such asporcelain. As shown, a knot 68 is formed in the cord above the bushingto prevent any possibility of damage or strain to the mechanism withinthe casing as by accidentally pulling on the cord.

@ne conductor l@ ci this twin supply conductor is connected directlyvwith one of the terminals 563 ci the lower heating element, while theother conductor li ci the supply conducted' is connected to one terminalof the main control switch el. This switch preferably will be oi thetoggle External electrical type and will be mounted Within the casing beconveniently operated. The other tel of the toggle switch di isconnected by means of a conductor 'it to one of a pair ci iixed contacts'i3 provided on the time switch @5 and i'rom this contact to one of apair. of fixed contacts provided on the thermostat 8d by means of aconductor l5. The other llxed contact 'i4 ci! the thermostat isconnected by means of a conductor 'le with the second terminal 56 of thelower heating element El. The remaining xed contact 13 of the timeswitch 55 is connected by means of a conductor T l with one side of thepilot lamp 66. The other side of this lamp is connected with the ill-stterminal of the lower heating element by means 'of a conductor 18. Thetwo heating elements 50 and tl are connectedin parallel by means of apair of conductors 80 and 8i which are passed between the heating platesand are electrically connected with the terminals4 55 and 58.

It will be observed that by reason of the foregoing elcctricalconnections, the two heating elements 50 and 5l areconnected inparallel, and

trolling the heating elements I0 and Il to maine tain substantiallyconstant temperatures .in the heating plates Il and il, preferably willbe ot the form described and claimed in the United States Patent No.1,743,073, granted to A.`H, Simmons, dated January 1930, although itwill be understood that any other suitable thermostat may be used.Briey, this thermostat comprises the above-mentioned fixed contacts 14,a pair of movable contacts 82 for bridging the nxed contacts and abi-metallic temperature responsive element 83 for actuating the movablecontacts. The loi-metallic bar 63, as shown, is rigidly secured at oneend by means oi a screw 83a to the lower surface of the bottom plate iland extends crosswise of the plate and in substantially parallelrelation with it. The free end of the thermostat bar bears on one arm cia U- shaped spring member tl, the other arm of which is seatecion afixed knife-edge bearing dit, which bearing is secured in any suitablemanner, as by means of a screw et, to the under surface of the heatingplate. A temperature adjustment rod or shaft Si is provided to cooperatewith the thermostat bar 83 whereby the temperature meintained in theheating plates can be varied. An adjustment screw @bis for changing thetension in the spring member @il is provided whereby the range betweenthe maximum and minimum temperatures at which the circuit through thethermostat is opened and closed can be adjusted.

Secured to the central portion of the spring member Slt is a springContact member il@ on the free end of which are carried the bridgingcontacts t2. its shown, the bridging contacts cooperate with the hiredcontacts 'it so that when the contacts are in engagement the eleotricalcircuit through the thermostat is closed, whereas when the contacts areout of engagement, the thermostat is opened. A suitable stop member isprovided for the bridging contacts when in their open circuit position.

it will be understood that the U-shaped spring member lili serves' tosnap the thermostat bar il?) quickly between its two operating positionsand thus to quiclrly open and close the switch.

The arm 2G, as has been pointed out, serves to conceal and protect theconductors Si@ and @i passed between the heating plates Ill and li. Asshown, these conductors are passed from the base le to the pivot pin 2@about which they are coiled. One or more turns of the conductors will beformed about as sho-wn the pin will formed of a suitable electricallyinsulating material, such as porcelain. From' this pin the conductorsare passed through the arm 25 to the pivot pin lli about which they arealso coiled. From this pin they are directed to the terminals of theupper heating element to which they are secured. It willv be observedthat the conductors 80 and 8l are not only concealed and protected bythe arm 2t but also are secured at a plurality of points, viz., thepivot pins 26 and 3i, whereby they are protected against excessivestrains.

In the operation of the heating -devices thus faidescribed, it will beunderstood that the bridging contacts 82 are heldin engagement with thexed contacts 'lt to maintain the heating circuits closed as long as thetemperature of the heating plates I0 and i I are below a predeterminedmaximum value. Upon the occurrence oi' a predetermined maximumtemperature the thermostat moves the contacts'quickly apart to open theheating circuit. After the heating circuit has been-opened and thetemperature ot the heating plates, and consequently the temperature ofthe curved so as to guide the contacts this pin. Preferably and becovered with a sleeveV thermostat, begins to decrease, the 4thermostatbar will tend to move back to its closed position until finally upon theoccurrence ot a predetermined minimum temperature, the thermostat willsnap to quickly close its switch contacts. In this manner the heatingcircuits are controlled so as to maintain a predetermined heating platetemperature which is a mean between the maximum and minimum temperaturesfor which the thermostatic device is set to operate. lf the lower plateonly is being used the thermostat will operate in the seme manner tomaintain a substantially constant' cooking temperature.

The signal lamp iid of the time controlled signal means for measuringcooking periods is mounted in the casing I2 behind the front wall i5 inany suitable manner, and in the wall is provided an aperture forreceiving a suitable glass lens 9i arranged in iront of the lamp andwhich preferably will have some suitable color, such as red.

The timing switch @s for controlling the pilot lamp, as shown, issupported on the bottom wail i6 oi! the casing i2. This switch comprisesthe above mentioned xed switching contacts lil, cooperating bridgingcontacts 92 for controlling an electrical circuit through the switch ande. timing clockwork mechanism Q3 controlling the motion oi the bridgingcontacts 92.-

The bridging contacts s2 are mounted on a suitable insulating supportingmember 9G which is carried on one end of an arm plvotally mounted on afixed pivot member 95. The inemu ber 63 is forked at one end to receivean actuating pin @l mounted on one end of the arm 35, and is biased awayfrom the pin toward an insulating stop and guide member 9&3 by means ofa suitable compression spring its. The stop member, es shown, is curvedat one end, its left-hand end,

as viewed in Fig. ti, so as to provide a stop for the bridging'contacts' $2 when they are in their open circuit position. This member'is also 92 to the uned contacts 13: It will be observed that themechanism thus-tar described constitutes a toggle switchl which operatesto its open and closed circuit position with a snap action.

The switch is opened manually by means of an operating member i532. Thismember, as shown in Fig. 5, is of annular form so as to provide twolever arms m2o and m2o, es diagrammatically shown in Fig. 5. The end oithe arm i021: is fixedly pivoted by means oi a pin le@ to the iront walll5 of the casing; the other arm i022) is connected, preferably at apoint intermediate its ends, to .the free end of the lever 95 by meansof a link |05. The operating member |82 is provided with a handle |05accessible on `the exterior 6l the casing whereby the attendant canconveniently operate the switch. This handle, as shown, is co nested tothe lever |62 bye-means of a pin |06 g. 2)

'passed through-a vertical slot |01 (Fig. 1) proivided for it 1n thefrom wan of the casing.

' The bridging contacts lare moved to their closed circuit position apredetermined interval of time after they have been moved to their opencircuit position by means of the clockwork mechanism which is renderedeflective by the operation oi the lever |02 in opening the switch. Inother words, the lever |62 performs two functions, vizi, to operate theswitch toits open circuit position and at the same time to render thetiming mechanism eiective to thereafter close the switch.

is a gear H3; this gear is connected through aA gear train comprisinggear wheels ||4, |I5 and ||6 with the ratchet |II of a suitableescapement mechanism. This mechanism, as shown, further comprises abalance wheel I8 and an escapement I 20, the arms of which cooperatewith the escapement teeth of the ratchet I1.

The energy for driving the clockwork mechanism is provided by means of aspring |2I. This spring is a tension springl having its one endconnected to the lever 95 intermediate its pivot and the end which isconnected to the lever |02 and its other end connected with a member |22fixed to the casing. This spring member, as viewed in lig. 5, biases thelever arm S5 in a counterclockwise direction, .toward a suitable stopi23. A second tension spring 624 is arranged to operate the lever |02 ina-counter-clockwise directionunder certain conditions of operation, aswill be pointed out hereinafter in more detail. This spring has one endconnected with the lower end oi the lever arm m2o and its other armconnected with a xed member i 25.

The mechanical connection between the common operating lever 602 and theclockwork mechanism comprises a lever i2@ rotatably mounted on thewinding spindle H0. One end oi this lever is connected by means of alink i2? with the switch lever 95 at a point between the pivot @t andthe point vor" connection oi the spring |29; this link i 2l' preferablywill loe connected with the member i2@ by a slotted connection |28providing for limited movement of the connected end of the linklongitudinally oi the lever |20.

Mounted on the other end of the lever 92S is an upright pin 329 on theupper end of which is rotatably mounted a pawi-like member |30 arrangedat its' opposite ends with teeth i 3i and i32. These teeth cooperatewith the cam i i As shown, the

` pawl-like member |30 isv biased in a clockwise direction, as viewed inFig. 5, that is, in a direction toward the cam, by means of asuitablecoiled spring 33 mounted on the pin |29. The pawi member, asshown, is provided on its free end with a depending pin-like member |34.A suitable adjustable lever |35 is arranged on an axis substantiallycoincident with the axis of the timing spindle I |0 and is provided withan arm |35a to cooperate with the pin-like member |34 to adjust thetiming periods, as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

The timing adjustment lever |35 is provided with an operating lever |36(Fig. 2) pivotally mounted on the bottom wall oi' the casing I2 at apoint back of thel timing mechanism; this lever is extended so as toproject forwardly of the front wall I5 whereby itis accessible on theexterior oi' the casing. This lever is connected in any suitable manner(not shown) to the lever |35 whereby movement of the operating levermoves the lever |35 in a corresponding direction. It will be observedthat by reason of this arrangement a relatively small arcuate movementof the lever |36 will impart a considerably larger arcuate movement tothe member |35. This is oi advantage in'that it is desirable that thecontrol arm accessible to the attendant have a comparatively small rangeof movement.

In the operation or the timing mechanism,

when the common operating member |05 provided for the contacts andclockwork mechanism is depressed the lever arm |02 will be rotated in aclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 5, which operation moves thelever in a clockwise direction; this. operation causes the toggle switchto snap to its left-hand position to open the switch; this operationalso moves the lever |26 in a. clockwise direction whereby the tooth |3Iof the pawl |30 engages the cam and moves it in the same direction. Asthe arm |26 and pawl |30 are thus moved, the spring |33 operates to movethe pawl in a clockwise direction on its pin |29 so that the tooth |32falls behind a dctent |38 provided on the cam. It will be understoodthat during,

this clockwise motion of the cam the sleeve ||2 will rotate on thewinding spindle H0, the latter being stationary.

The depressing movement of the handle |05 also tensions the springs |2|and |24 which thereafter will tend to return the various elements totheir initial positions, shown in Fig. 5. The Vforce exerted by thespring |24 tends to return the lever 502 to its upper position, whilethe force exerted by the spring i 2| is transmitted to the link 927 andthe arm |26 whereby the latter tends to rotate in a muntenclockwisedirection. Motion in this direction, however, is retarded by the timingmechanism by reason of the fact that the tooth 32 oi the pawl member |30in engaging the detent E38 locks the lever E26 with the timing mechanismthrough the cam i i; it will be understood that during this operationthe frictional' force between the spindle ||0 and the sleeve ||2 will besuilicient to lock the spindle and sleeve together. 'I'he timingmechanism will thus operate until the pin 530 of the pawl engages thearm 535i; of the time adjusting lever |35. When this occurs the pawlwill be moved'outwardly to disengage the cam whereby the arm |26 will bereleased and then quickly moved in a counterclockwise direction to itsinitial position by the tension spring' |2l. Thisr operation snaps thebridging contacts 92 to their closed circuit position, and the operatingmember |02 is returned `by the spring |24 to its initial position withits operating member |05 at .the upper end of its slot |01. By reason ofthe slot |02c (Figs. 2 and 5) between the arms |02b and the link |04,the return movement of the arm |02 to its initial position does notinterfere with the movement of the arm 95. It will be understood thatthe above described operation may be repeated as often as is desiredmerely by depressing the operating handle |05.

To effect an adjustment of the timing periods,

it is merely necessary to move the lever |36 which in turn moves thelever |35 to adjust the position of the stop arm |35a.. Obviously, theadjustvment-of this stop arm controls the length of time that theclockwork mechanism will operate before the pin I 34 engages the stop;consequently the adjustment oi the stop arm controls the period of timethat the switch will remain open after it has been moved to its openposition by the operation of the handle |05.

The pilot lamp and likewise the conductors and switch mechanism areprotected from excessive temperatures by means of a. shield |40interposed between them andthe cooking plate This shield will besupported by the sleeves 20 on which ,the lower plate rests.

' by the lamp will be In the operation oi' the heating apparatus it willbe/understood that for toasting and like operations, the heating platesl0 and Il will be supported in their substantially horizontal positions.It will be assumed that it is desired to toast sandwiches in theapparatus and that the apparatus is cold. The toggle switch 6I will beoperated to connect the heating elements andthe pilot lamp circuits withthe source oi electrical supply, it being assumed that the twin supplyconductor E is plugged into a suitable supply plug. In view of the factthat the ,apparatus is cold the thermostat 60 will be closed to completethe energizing circuit for the heating elements; atfthis time thecontacts of the timing switch also will be closed so as to complete:an-energizing circuit for the pilot lamp 64. Under these conditions theresistance elements Sil and 5i will begin to heat up the plates and thepilot lamp will be lighted. Eventually the heating plates will be heatedto the maximum temperature for which the thermostat is set to open theheating circuit, whereupon the thermostat will open this circuit; thethermostat will then operate in the manner previously described tomaintain a substantially constant predetermined temperature in thecooking plates. The apparatus is then in condition to be used.

The upper plate It will be elevated by means of the handle 35 and thesandwiches will be placed upon the heating surface of the lower plate ilafter which the upper plate will be moved to its closed position. ltwill be understood that by reason of the pivotal connection between theup per plate and its operating arm 2d, the upper plate will move into aposition substantially parallel with the lower plate irrespective oi thethickness of the sandwiches placed between them. The arm 405 will thenbe depressed. This operation of the arm will open the pilot lampenergizing circuit indicating that the cooking period has started, andwill also render the timing mechanism effective to close the switch apredetermined interval oi time thereafter. Upon the expiration oi thisperiod of time the timing switch will operate to close the pilot lampcircuit wherelighted thereby indicating that the toasting period hasbeen completed. It will be understood that the timing mechanism will beadjusted by its lever 36 in accordance with the heating platetemperature maintained by the thermostat so as to insure a completelytoasted product. After the attendant has been signalled that thetoasting period has been completed, the upper plate will be elevated andthe sandwiches removed. After this another batch of sandwiches may betoasted in the manner described, the toasting period as before beingmeasured by the timing mechanism.

It may be that the cooking operations will require only the use of thelower heating plate Il. Thus, if it be desired to bake pancakes, it willbe unnecessary to utilize the upper heating plate iii. For suchoperations, the upper heating plate I0 will be elevated and movedagainst the stop 25h, and the switch 63 controlling the heating element50 of the upper plate will be thrown so as to open the heating circuit.for this element.

Otherwise, the operation of the apparatus will be substantially as thatdescribed; the thermostat 60 will maintain a substantially constantcooking temperature in the plate Il and the timing mechanism willoperate as before to measure the cooking periods.

For broiling and like cooking operations it is usually desirable toelevate the front o! the apparatus Lby mean's of the extensions 4|provided on' the front legs il. For broiling and such operations theapparatus will be used in the manner previously described for thetoasting and baking operations with the exception that the device -willbe tilted toward the rear. Assuming that the cooking plates I0 and Ilhave been heated to the desired temperature, the upper plate will beelevated and the meat or other substance to be broiled will be placed onthe lower heating surface, after which the upper plate will be returnedto its cooperating position with the lower plate. By reason of thepivotal connection between the upper plate I@ and its operating arm 2dthe plate again will parallel itself with the lower plate in spite ofthe fact that the apparatus is tilted toward the rear. During thebroiling operations excess grease and juices from the meat will draintoward the rear of the cooking plates from which they will be drainedthrough the drain spout dit. When the meat has been broiled for apredetermined length of time, which period will have been set by thesetting of the timing device, the pilot lamp will be lighted indicatingto the attendant that the cooking operation has been completed.whereupon, the attendant will elevate the upper plate and remove theedible which has been cooked.

t will be understood that for any of the cooking operations thethermostat .will operate to maintain the heating plate or plates at asubstantially constant temperature so that each operation may berepeated, one after the other, without reheating the cooking plate orplates. It will be further understood that by reason or the time elementsignal means for measuring the cooking periods, a uniformly cookedproduct can be obtained, each respective cooking operation being asubstantial duplicate of the preceding cooking operations.

While have shown a particular embodiment of my invention, it will beunderstood, of course,

that l do not wish to be limited thereto since many modificationscontemplate by the appended such modifications as iall within and scopeof my invention.

What claim as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, is:

l. Cooking apparatus comprising a pair ci? opposed heating plates,electrical heating means for said plates, a base supporting said plates,a supporting arm for the upper of said plates, means pivotallyconnecting said arm to said base, means pivotally connecting said arm tosaid upper plate and electrical conductors between said base and saidupper plate, terminals for said heating means of said upper plateadjacent said means pivotally connecting said arm to said upper plate,said arm being provided with a closed passageway enclosing saidconductors and directing them to said terminals.

2. Cooking apparatus comprising a base, a cooking plate fixed to saidbase, a second cooking plate cooperating with said first cooking plate,electrical heating means carried by said plates arranged to apply heatthereto, a closed tubular hollow arm for operating said second platepivoted to said base, pivotal means connecting said second plate withsaid operating arm,'a spring member connected to counterbalance theweight of said operating arm and said second plate, electricalconductors passed through said hollow arm to the heating means of theplate attached to said arm and means securing said electrical conductorsat a plurality of points in said hollow arm so as to prevent movement ofthe portions of said conductoxs between said secured portionslongitudinally of said arm.

3. Cooking apparatus comprising a pair of opposed heating plates, apivoted hollow supporting arm for one of said plates arranged to movesaid plate relative to said other plate, means pivotally connecting saidarm to said one plate, electrical heating means for said movable plate,electrical supply conductors for said heating means directed throughsaid hollow arm to said movable plate, and walls carried by said arm.and said movable plate cooperating to define a sul: stanI tially closedpassageway for said conductors where they pass from said arm to saidplate.

d. Cooking apparatus comprising upper and lower heating plates, walls onsaid upper plate dening a hollow hinge bracket, a hollow supporting armfor said upper plate provided with an aperture opening to said hingebracket and with walls surrounding said aperture and cooperating withsaid hinge bracket to denne a substantially closed passageway betweensaid hollow arm and said upper plate, means pivotally connecting saidwalls on said plate to said Walls on said arm, an electrical heatingelement for saidupper plate having terminals within said hollow hingebracket and electrical supply conductors for said heating elementdirected through said hollow arm and said passageway to said terminals.

5. Cooking apparatus comprising upper and lower heating plates, anelectrical heating unit,

carried by each of said plates, the terminals for the heating unit ofthe upper plate extending upwardly from substantially the centralportion ofl said plate, walls on said plate surrounding said terminals,a base for said plates, a hollow arm pivotally secured to said base andhaving a portion extending over said upper plate, said hollow arm beingprovided with an aperture opening to the upper surface of said upperplate substantially at its central portion, downwardly extending wallson said arm surrounding said opening and the walls on said upper. plateso as to provide a substantially closed passageway between said arm andsaid upper plate, pin means pivotally connecting the walls on said armwith the walls on said upper plate, and electrical connections for saidupper plate heating element directed from said base through said hollowarm and said pas sageway defined :by said walls to the terminals of saidelement.

6. An electric cooking apparatus having a frame, upper and lower heatingelements, a hollow supporting arm pivoted to said frame, a pivot supportextending upwardly from said upper heating element, a pivot forconnecting said support and arm, and conducting wires leading to saidupper heating element and passing within said hollow arm and pivotsupport.

7. Cooking apparatus comprising a pair of opposed cooking plates,electrical heating means carried by said plates, a base for said plates,legs attached to said base at the front and rear arranged to supportsaid base with said cooking plates in a substantially horizontalposition, the legs at the rear having enlarged heads fixed on theirlower ends, and those at the front being provided with verticallyarranged bores, extension memberswithin said bores arranged to be movedoutwardly thereof to increase the effective lengths of said legs so asto 'support the front edges of said plates in an elevated position toiiicline said plates for broiling and like operations, means for lockingsaid extension members in their withdrawn positions, and enlarged headsAon the lower ends of said extension members arranged to engage saidlegs at the front so as to define the extreme retracted positions ofsaid extension members in said bores and arranged when in said retractedpositions to simulate the enlarged heads iixed on the lower ends of saidlegs at the rear.

JACOB L. SHROYER.

